My dog dislocated her hip this morning

Buckterrier · 12-28-2010, 01:53 PM

Colbi, my pretty girl dog was playing ball in the backyard this morning and her back leg slipped on an icy patch. Her left rear leg went straight out from her body dislocating her hip. The vet was able to get it back in place but there is a chance things won't go so good as it can dislocate again & again requiring surgery. 10 days in a wrap/sling and being crated then a month more of being crated with minimal activity. She's young, only 14 months so that is on her side.

I'd appreciate pelican positive thoughts and prayers. You guys are the best.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Do what they tell you, limit activities, take her out to do her thing on a leash, even in the back yard.

Be diligent, good luck.

enzo1 · 12-28-2010, 02:08 PM

1 of my dogs, (6 pounds), had knee surgery. She had to be fully grown before they could do it. Carried her around for at least a month then very limited activity, 3yrs later all is good

KFC911 · 12-28-2010, 02:33 PM

Maybe Drdogface (Mark) will chime in, but I'd bet some type of water therapy/exercize would be just the ticket whenever she's able. Kinda like building up the muscles to compensate for a missing ACL for us two legged dogs...beautiful pup!

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

Poor puppy! At least she has a good owner.

pwd72s · 12-28-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crustychief

Poor puppy! At least she has a good owner.

+1 In a year or so...all forgotten. Just a tough period now.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 12-28-2010, 03:10 PM

Blue Heelers are prone to hip problems unfortunatley. (I've got a blue and a red) Being a pup, she's probably going to be ok. Just make sure she rests for a while, feed her right and then light exercise. She should be fine as long as she doesnt overdo it.

widgeon13 · 12-28-2010, 03:11 PM

When things warm up see if you can exercise her by swimming, not running. We had a english setter that had dysplasia and she swam a lot, great help, she lived comfortably to be 17 yo.

Good luck, hope she makes a full recovery.

deanp · 12-28-2010, 03:57 PM

Sorry to hear about your pups problem. I'll reiterate what's already been said.... do what your vet said and hopefully she won't need surgery.

944Larry · 944Larry's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Colbi, my pretty girl dog was playing ball in the backyard this morning and her back leg slipped on an icy patch. Her left rear leg went straight out from her body dislocating her hip. The vet was able to get it back in place but there is a chance things won't go so good as it can dislocate again & again requiring surgery. 10 days in a wrap/sling and being crated then a month more of being crated with minimal activity. She's young, only 14 months so that is on her side.

I'd appreciate pelican positive thoughts and prayers. You guys are the best.

Blue Heelers!!! They are tough!!! I have 2 and one of mine got stomped by my Belgian Draft Horse and lived to tell about it. Hopefully yours will be fine, but I can tell you, they don't seem to learn from past mistakes!

masraum · 12-28-2010, 09:59 PM

What a cutie. Yes, you can get doggie physical therapy. Look into it.

Positive thoughts her way from all of us.

9dreizig · 12-28-2010, 11:24 PM

Damn I dislocated my hip last superbowl Sunday so can empathize. My thoughts to the pooch

Buckterrier · 12-29-2010, 03:37 AM

Thanks everyone. If I can get out of Syracuse this afternoon I can pick her up. I like the idea of the water therapy when the time comes. I would like to have Mark, (Drdogface), chime in.

VINMAN · 12-29-2010, 06:42 AM

Thats sucks Mark. I hope she gets better.

Tobys sends hug and kisses for her.

911Rips · 12-29-2010, 07:33 AM

Mark
Keeping Colbi quiet will be the hardest part - be diligent on that front and all should turn out well.
Rudy send his best.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Mark,
I'm sorry to hear about your pup. Fast healing!!

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

Buck:
Cute pup for sure. Sorry to hear of her injury, but it's not serious in the long run. The fact that she's so young and a smallish breed is in her favor. The sling that was applied (Ehmer Sling) is meant to immobilize but more importantly to angle the leg inward to gently push the ball (femoral head) into the socket (acetabulum). The time frame of the injury/treatment is of significant importance as well. One that is ignored for a week or so...even three days, is less likely to be successful than one that treated the same day. The reason for that is that there is always bleeding at the area due to tearing of the joint capsul and a small round ligament (ligamentum teres) which attaches the ball to the socket in the inside.

The longer the time the more of a harder clot will form in the joint socket and the harder it would be to force that out so that the ball can seat deeply again. It will take time for the joint capsul to heal and hold the joint together. Whether or not the ligament eventually heals is up in the air but usually it will over time. Do NOT stray from the treatment instructions and if the sling should come off, get it re-applied ASAP. Usually these guys do well when the client is following orders and not over exercising the dog...especially after the sling is removed. The healing tissue...mostly the capsul...takes time to form and gain strength.

Even if such a procedure fails to keep the joint together it is still no long term tragedy. The surgery that is usually done will establish a new joint, of sorts, and the dog will live a long happy life.

Just follow the Vet's instructions, care for the sling, make sure there is no pressure points developing and/or skin trauma from pressure...sniff it and look carefully. Don't allow the sling to get wet and have it changed regularly.

Hope this all helps...

Buckterrier · 12-29-2010, 01:19 PM

Again thank you all, especially all the hounds that are keeping Colbi in their thoughts. And special thanks to you Mark.
Here's an up date... I called the vet around 11 EST. Colbi got the sling off last night, that's the bad news. The good news is she was using her leg and apparently wasn't in too much discomfort. Also the hip did not re-dislocate. They are leaving the sling off & keeping her another night to make sure it doesn't dislocate again.

Mark, thank you for the medical explanation. It certainly helps, (although they mentioned some of the same things it's hard to concentrate being there with your dog).

it sounds like they should have put the sling back on?

But yes I will be diligent with their instructions, which will be hard with Maxx around!!

Chocaholic · 12-29-2010, 01:50 PM

Not sure if it applies so much to hips, but with knees, it's important to keep their weight in check. The non-injured leg will have to carry the load (so to speak) and is more prone to injury (CCL) if the dog is chubby.

Fond wishes for a speedy recover from our little pup Mazy (also about 14 months old):

and from Murphy (20 months old, recovering from bilaterall CCL tears and doing great):

Drdogface · Drdogface's Garage

Mark,
Glad she's doing OK. How soon did you get her to the vet after the injury?

Yes, if it were me, I would have put it back on. I hate commenting on what colleagues do but that would have been my absolute plan...even if you'd have to put one of those cones on her to keep her from chewing at it.